Background: Traditionally the provision of elective external direct current cardioversion (EDCCV) for patients with atrial arrhythmias has been doctor-led. Increasing demands on hospital beds and time pressures for doctors has driven the desire for an alternative approach. We established a nurse-led cardioversion service in 2006 and present our experience.
Methods: A prospective database of patients undergoing elective EDCCV between July 2006 and July 2013 was collected. Demographic data, arrhythmia, success and immediate complications of cardioversion were recorded.
Results: A total of 974 EDCCV were performed on 772 patients. The mean patient age was 62.7 years, 564 (73.1%) were male. In 530 patients (69.0%) AF was the primary arrhythmia, in 242 (31.0%) atrial flutter. All EDCCVs were performed in a high dependency unit. Sinus rhythm was obtained in 692 patients (89.6%). Of 640 outpatients, 629 (98.3%) were discharged on the same day of their procedure. Eleven patients (1.7%) required admission to hospital. No patients required urgent temporary transvenous or permanent pacing, and there were no deaths in association with this procedure.
Conclusions: Nurse-led elective EDCCV is a safe and effective way of restoring sinus rhythm in patients with AF or atrial flutter, with additional benefits to resource provision.
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